Despite a hard-fought first half, the Russellville Cyclones ended their 2012 football season Friday night with a 53-27 loss to the Benton Panthers in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs. The loss marks the sixth time Russellville has made it to the playoffs only to lose in the first round.

The Cyclones (6-5) knew going in they would have to shut down Benton (4-7) running back Wallace Foote if they were going to win the game. Foote was responsible for 640 all-purpose yards at Cyclone Stadium — 38 carries for 448 yards and six touchdowns; 1 pass completion for 44 yards; three receptions for 58 yards; and five kickoffs for 90 yards.

From there, the story tells itself. That’s not to say Russellvile laid down and died.

“I’ve felt for these kids,” head coach Jeff Holt said after the game. “These last three weeks have been tough. We’ve fought through just about every injury imaginable. At some point, you run out of bodies. This team has had some great things happen to them. Hopefully, when they look back on this season, they’ll remember that.”

Mitch Mullen was 13-of-19 for 212 yards passing and three touchdowns. Cody Jones was 7-of-12 for 113 yards passing and a touchdown. Kentrell Scott had 57 yards on the ground and a touchdown, and Jalen Curtis caught eight passes for 123 yards and a touchdown.

The Cyclones hit paydirt on their first possession when Scott took advantage of great blocking and raced upfield 44 yards for the score. The touchdown was set up by a defensive pass interference penalty, which kept the stuttering drive alive. Four plays later, Scott broke free to the end zone. Jose Crisostomo added the extra-point kick to make it 7-0 with 9:10 left in the first quarter.

Benton had an immediate answer. The Panthers went 87 yards in eight plays to find the end zone. As expected, Foote did most of the work, wracking up 55 yards on six carries before finally taking it into the end zone from 7 yards out. The PAT tied the game 7-7 with 5:26 left in the first.

On the first play of the next series, Russellville quarterback Jones threw an interception and gave possession back to Benton. The Cyclone defense did its job, however, and forced the Panthers after three plays.

However, Scott dropped the football on the first play of the next possession, and Benton recovered on the Russellville 19. The disaster set up a Panther field goal, which made it 10-7 with 1:43 left in the first.

On Benton’s next possession, Foote widened the lead with a 70-yard touchdown run on the first play. The PAT sailed through the uprights and made it 17-7 with :02 left in the first quarter.

The Cyclones kept the game in range with a scoring drive of their own. Mullen hit Co-Chese Temple-Laws on the fourth play of the drive for a 68-yard touchdown. Chrisostomo added the PAT to make it 17-14 with 10:03 left in the first half.

From there, the rest of the first haf was as shootout. The Panthers took over on their 29 and marched 71 yards in three plays for the touchdown. The PAT made it 24-14 with 9:40 left in the second.

The Cyclones fired back. Jones nailed Curtis for 62 yards and a touchdown to bring the game within a field goal, 24-21, with 8:54 on the clock.

Benton wasn’t done extending its lead. Foote tore off a 48-yard run to the Russellville 3. On the next play, he grabbed the remaining three on his way to the end zone. The PAT made it 31-21 at halftime.

The Panthers opened the third quarter with a big return to their 40. Benton advanced to the Cyclone 14, before the Russellville defense stiffened and held them to a fourth-and-four. However, the Panthers picked up the first down on the ground and kept the drive alive.

It was becoming clear if the Cyclones were to win, they were going to have to stop Benton’s elusive running game. Five plays later, the Panthers ran it in from 4 yards out for the touchdown. The PAT made it 38-21 with 5:15 left in the third quarter.

Russellville brought the game back under control on its next drive, when Mullen connected with Scott for 15 yards and a touchdown. The play was set up when Mullen pitched the ball to Curtis who tossed it deep to Zach England to the Benton 15. Chrisostomo missed the PAT, making the score 38-27 with 3:31 left in the third.

The Panthers scored again two possessions later. Foote broke free 75 yards up the middle of the field and into the end zone. The PAT was no good to make the score 44-27 with 11:43 left in the fourth quarter.

After forcing the Cyclones to go three and out, Benton put the game out of reach. Foote broke off a 33-yard run to the RHS 28, and he cross the goal line three plays. The PAT made it 51-27 with 8:39 to go in the game.

A bad snap on the next Russellville series gave the Panthers a safety and made 53-27 with 6:58 remaining.

The Cyclones hadn’t given up quite yet, though. On their next possession, Mullen connected with Temple-Laws for 59 yards and a touchdown. The PAT was good to make it 53-34 with 3:43 left in the game.

On the final Russellville possession, Mullen and the Cyclones moved the ball steadily down the field. For Mullen and many other seniors, this was the final series in their RHS football career. Mullen ended his with a complete pass to Curtis to the Benton 7 as time expired.

“These seniors only won two games throughout their sophomore and junior year,” Holt said. “And now they’ve had a winning season and got to play a home playoff game. They have a lot to be proud of. I just don’t want them to only think about these last three games. Those games weren’t their entire year.”